Community Chat

[Shorty2U]

I have a question for people who travel by plane. My oldest granddaughter is flying back from a 2 week trip from Europe to America Sunday (Id rather not say "exactly" from where to where being shes traveling alone). 

My question is, the weather is fine there but here we are expecting a bad snow and ice storm with high winds. Do they cancel/postpone and or how bad must it be here for them to do so if the storms here but not there? (I asked some friends and they dont know bc they never travel abroad in Winter)

To add- She will be making 1 transfer of planes in Europe too so she could get cancelled/postponed and end up alone in the 2nd airport as her friend(s) live in the 1st place she is coming from.

And yes I have myself all worked up if that happens and she will be stranded in a strange country knowing no one. On the other hand of course I want the flight to be postponed/cancelled if its dangerous! This is her first flight and first trip aboard. Getting there was easy she said. She loved flying and is having a wonderful time over there.  I PRAY getting back she is safe. 

PS If you could please say a prayer/send positive vibes that she will be ok too. I never worried about planes and used to fly (in the USA years ago) but now that its my granddaughter and this weather coming well I'm worried.

[WindingRoad]

The plane will take off if the weather is fine at the originating city in Europe. They also won't hold that second flight in Europe because of bad weather here.  You see, they need that aircraft in her U.S. arrival airport for a flight departing after your GD lands,  That's the way they keep all the flights in motion and (fairly) on time.

They will try to land at her U.S. destination but if weather is bad at that airport, they will divert to the nearest safe airport to land (obviously with Customs). Then they should fly or bus them to her destination city when it's safe to do so. She might have to stay over one night before getting to her airport though, if weather does not cooperate.  Its always a wait and see in situations like this

That's usually  the way it  works.  I wouldn't worry about her being held over in Europe, even on the second leg of her flight.  She may land just as scheduled.  And try not to worry about her being unsafe flying with bad weather here.  Millions fly in bad weather every winter season, every year and the pilots are trained for one thing and that is----safety first always.  Don't worry!

[Tinkrbl44]

@Shorty2U

Don't get all tangled up in your underwear over this!  LOL   

There are many options, depending on the size and intensity of the weather pattern.  

Examples ....    There's turbulence at 34,000 feet ... they might climb to 38,000 feet and fly over it ... or around it.  If it's small, maybe they'll just fly through it.  

If it's really worse than anticipated, sometimes they'll land at an interim city and wait it out.   

Just remember ......  the worst injuries usually happen to people who don't have their seat belts on at all times while their seats!    

[LTT1]

@Shorty2U

I will send prayers.

Are her parents concerned? How old is she? Do the friends speak English?  If her 2nd flight is held pending weather, her friends may stay with her while she waits.

DD had me shaken up all of the time over her single girl days...

Some of those times were during bad weather (driving across the country) next was flying (I never even considered her having layovers.

Learned that all my worry was for nothing...she is very resourceful.

And with each experience, she became more and more that way.

i must admit so many times during her life so far i have closed my eyes and told myself not to think about a situation that I can’t do anything about!

[Kachina624]

If you have questions about the status of her flight, call the airline and ask them.  They ought to know whether there will be delays or cancellations when the flying time is closer.

[Lilysmom]

@Shorty2U, there are many reasons why a flight could be delayed/cancelled.  The last time mine was cancelled was due to a crewing issue.  The crews are only allowed to log so many hours before they must take time off.  In bad weather, many of them work long hours.

There is no way to predict weather across the flight path and whether crews need time off.  Tell your GD to make sure she connects with flight/airline personnel.  They will offer her the best advice on what to do in that situation.  You can go to the airline online and check flight status if you have her flight number and travel dates.  

The best thing you or your family can do is offer to cover her expenses at a hotel overnight if the flight gets cancelled and the airline does not pay for overnight accommodation.

I will say a prayer for her safe journey.  LM

[Ifeelwicked]

As the wife and mother of commercial airline Captains, please know that your granddaughter is in excellent hands. Though it is completely normal to be concerned, don’t make yourself crazy. (Easier said than done, I know.) As for weather, pilots are prepared for all conditions. If they do have to divert it may be a bit of an inconvenience, but there will be a new plan in place to get everyone safely to their destination. (I’m smiling as I’m typing bc in the beginning I was you every time my husband walked out the door to go to work!) But, as he used to remind me, “you’re safer in a plane than you are in a car.” 😊 ..... Anyway, I hope your granddaughter has had the most wonderful time enjoying Europe. What a great experience!

[ID2]

Aww you are being such a grandma! I say that in a loving way. Yes, I'd worry too but she'll be just fine. If she needs to stay over one more day due to weather here at home, think of it as an adventure, she'll be fine.

[Tribesters]

@Shorty2U

It’s hard not to worry. I will pray for her safe and uneventful return.

When my relatives fly it eases my mind to track their flights. Have you ever looked at ifly.com? You can see the status of the flights. It also has a live flight tracker. Perhaps it would ease your mind to check the incoming flights at the airport she’ll be landing at. It’ll also let you know the status of the flights- on time, delayed, cancelled, etc... The live tracking link lets you see exactly where the flight is on a map- heck it shows altitude, speed, etc.

A couple times I used the info on this site to get a different flight for my loved ones. DH was traveling somewhere & missed his connecting flight. I had already found another flight, on a different airline, that was leaving soon. It was the last flight out for the night. He was able to get on that flight. The airline was going to have him wait for the flight out the next day. 

Be sure you let us know when she’s safely back home.

[Scorpio1971]

Her flight may be diverted to an airport elsewhere where there is no bad weather or possibly even the 2nd leg transfer may be cancelled.  You never know what any particular airline will decide.  A friend was in Puerto Rico several years ago when a major nor'easter was going to be hitting and his airline, as well as many others, cancelled all flights into and out of the entire northeast region.  Only flights to other areas were going out.  He had no idea as he was sleeping because his flight was due to leave there at 3am (small airport) and when I called him at midnight he thought it was a joke.  Fortunately he was staying with a relative, but he had to remain there for 2 days until his flight could be rescheduled.

Have her pack an extra change of clothes, underwear & toiletries, medications, anything of value, in her carry on in case she is diverted and must stay overnight in a terminal...she will probably not have access to checked baggage because it has been screened & tagged for flights...at least she can freshen up in the restroom if necessary.  Also keep phone & charging cord readily available.  Tell her not to be tempted to go with anyone if they say lets get a room or if they claim to know someome where flight may be diverted to.  She may have to sleep in terminal.  She is safer to stay in terminal with airport personnel & other travelers than going off alone with someone.  Only go elsewhere if the airline is arranging transportation to hotels if offered.  And tell her to stay in touch with airline personnel in terminal since they have gone through this many times and will be able to tell her how to reschedule or who to speak to that can reschedule if necessary.

Don't worry...the airlines try do do their best to get everyone to their destinations as quickly & safely as possible.  Hope she had a great time in Europe!